ABC ceases shortwave transmission service

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The ABC has ceased shortwave transmission service to international audiences from 12:00pm AEDT and to the Northern Territory at 12:00pm ACST (1:30pm AEDT) and on the 31 January, 2017.

The ABC is deeply committed to rural and regional Australia and the one-third of Australians who live outside the capital cities. ABC Regional has more than 400 staff across 48 locations whose role is to develop content, services and activities that reflect and contribute to Australia’s rural and regional communities.

More than one-third of the ABC’s budget goes towards content, transmission and infrastructure costs servicing rural and regional audiences. The ABC operates 56 offices and bureaux around the country and its network includes more than 700 AM and FM radio transmitters.

The ABC acknowledges a small audience living and working in the Northern Territory favour shortwave radio when accessing ABC services. To assist this audience following the closure of shortwave services on 31 January, the ABC has offered comprehensive advice on how to best access emergency information, ABC News and entertainment.

The ABC’s Reception Advice Line has been actively managing audience correspondence regarding the proposal. The ABC will expand this information awareness program as an ongoing measure, ensuring as many ABC audiences as possible can continue to access our services.

The expansion of this service for a period after the closure of shortwave will include extra resources and funding from the ABC in the form of an ongoing public information campaign in local media, easy-to-access information page on ABC Local Radio websites for the NT as well as the About The ABC website, and continued dedicated audience assistance with broadcast alternatives and technological advice via phone and email.

Through these measures the ABC will assist with the transition to new technologies, providing information on how to access emergency services, as well as the use of modern and reliable devices such as emergency GPS beacons (EPIRBs) and affordable satellite telephones. Further information and specialist advice will be provided on how to access these services, including how to download catch-up radio programs and ABC podcasts to listen to whilst on the move.

The ABC will also supply a VAST satellite system unit to all Royal Flying Doctor Service bases and some 4WD Radio club bases in the affected region, allowing them to rebroadcast emergency or warning messages as required. The VAST satellite service is used across other large parts of the remote Australian outback where there are no shortwave broadcasts – such as in parts of the NT, all of WA, SA, QLD, and NSW.

The ABC values all audiences wherever they live and work. This information service will work with remote audiences who have relied upon shortwave to remain within the ABC broadcast footprint.

The ABC has grown remarkably since it launched on 1 July 1932. This is a snapshot of our achievements, programs and personalities and celebrates the ABC's contribution to Australian life for more than 80 years.